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Abstract:

An image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention comprises: an IR emitter controller for recognizing a pair of
3D glasses connected to the image display apparatus; a video multiplexer
for receiving a plurality of displayed video data using a plurality of
pairs of 3D glasses, setting a frame rate for the plurality of video data
to assign a frame period thereto, and multiplexing the plurality video
data according to the frame period assigned at the set frame rate, when
the plurality of pairs of 3D glasses is connected to the image data
apparatus; and a display unit for frame-sequentially displaying the
multiplexed video data.

Claims:

1-12. (canceled)

13. A method of processing a broadcast signal for displaying multi view
in a display panel of a receiver, the method comprising: receiving the
broadcast signal including a first service and a second service, wherein
the first service includes first images for displaying video factors of
the first service and the second service includes second images for
displaying video factors of the second service; multiplexing multi view
video data in which images of the first and second images are multiplexed
alternately at a certain frequency in a time domain; encoding a control
sequence for controlling open/close motion of each lens of first viewing
eyeglasses for the first service and second viewing eyeglasses for the
second service; transmitting the encoded control sequence to the first
and second viewing eyeglasses; and displaying the multi view using the
multiplexed multi view video data.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the multiplexing multi view video
data comprises: inserting a black image between images of the first and
second images.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the same control sequence is
transmitted to both of the first and second viewing eyeglasses.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the control sequence includes first
information indicating a certain motion among the open/close motion for
each lens of the first and second viewing eyeglasses.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the control sequence includes second
information specifying viewing eyeglasses among the first and second
viewing eyeglasses to which the first information is applied.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first information is specified by
a pattern of second burst, third burst and gap time between the second
burst and third burst in the control sequence, and wherein the second
information is specified by a pattern of first burst in the control
sequence.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving a channel
control signal from the first and second viewing eyeglasses; and
displaying an On Screen Display (OSD) for channel controlling based on
the received channel control signal.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: multiplexing a first OSD
for the first viewing eyeglasses with the first images in the multi view
video data and a second OSD for the second viewing eyeglasses with the
second images; displaying the multiplexed first OSD and second OSD.

21. The method of operating a viewing eyeglasses for watching multi view
in a display panel, the method comprising: receiving a control sequence
for controlling open/close motion of each lens of first viewing
eyeglasses for a first service and second viewing eyeglasses for a second
service, wherein the control sequence includes first information
indicating a certain motion among the open/close motion for each lens of
the first and second viewing eyeglasses; parsing the first information
from the received control sequence; and operating the open/close motion
for each lens of the first viewing eyeglasses based on the first
information.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: parsing second
information specifying viewing eyeglasses among the first and second
viewing eyeglasses to which the first information is applied from the
received control sequence; and operating the open/close motion for each
lens of the first viewing eyeglasses based on the first information when
the second information specifies the first viewing eyeglasses to which
the first information is applied.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first information is specified by
a pattern of second burst, third burst and gap time between the second
burst and third burst in the control sequence, and wherein the second
information is specified by a pattern of first burst in the control
sequence.

24. An apparatus for processing a broadcast signal for displaying multi
view in a display panel, the apparatus comprising: a receiving unit
(5010) configured to receive the broadcast signal including a first
service and a second service, wherein the first service includes first
images for displaying video factors of the first service and the second
service includes second images for displaying video factors of the second
service; a video multiplexer (5030) configured to multiplex multi view
video data in which images of the first and second images are multiplexed
alternately at a certain frequency in a time domain; an encoding unit
(5060) configured to encode a control sequence for controlling open/close
motion of each lens of first viewing eyeglasses for the first service and
second viewing eyeglasses for the second service; an emitter (5070)
configured to transmit the encoded control sequence to the first and
second viewing eyeglasses; and a display unit (1040) configured to
display the multi view using the multiplexed multi view video data.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the a video multiplexer (5030) is
further configured to: insert a black image between images of the first
and second images.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the same control sequence is
transmitted to both of the first and second viewing eyeglasses.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the control sequence includes
first information indicating a certain motion among the open/close motion
for each lens of the first and second viewing eyeglasses.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the control sequence includes
second information specifying viewing eyeglasses among the first and
second viewing eyeglasses to which the first information is applied.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first information is specified
by a pattern of second burst, third burst and gap time between the second
burst and third burst, and wherein the second information is specified by
a pattern of first burst in the control sequence.

30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the encoding unit (5060) is
further configured to receive a channel control signal from the first and
second viewing eyeglasses; and wherein the display unit (1040) is further
configured to display an On Screen Display (OSD) for channel controlling
based on the received channel control signal.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the video multiplexer (5030) is
further configured to multiplex a first OSD for the first viewing
eyeglasses with the first images in the multi view video data and a
second OSD for the second viewing eyeglasses with the second images;
wherein the display unit (1040) is further configured to display the
multiplexed first OSD and second OSD.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an image display method and
apparatus and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for
controlling image display, so that multiple users can be capable of
viewing multiple images by using a 3D viewing environment.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Generally, a 3-dimensions (3D) image (or stereoscopic image)
provides a cubic effect by using the principles of stereoscopic vision of
both human eyes. A human being (or individual) senses perspective through
a parallax between both eyes, in other words, a binocular parallax caused
by the two eyes of an individual being spaced apart at a distance of
approximately 65 millimeters (mm). Therefore, a 3D image may provide a
cubic effect and perspective by providing an image enabling and a flat
image associated with both the left eye and the right eye to be viewed.

[0003] Methods for displaying such 3D image include a stereoscopic method,
a volumetric method, a holographic method, and so on. In case of the
stereoscopic method, a left view image that is to be viewed by the left
eye and a right view image that is to be viewed by the right eye are
provided, and each of the left eye and the right eye respectively views
the left view image and the right view image through polarized glasses or
through a display equipment, thereby enabling the viewer to acknowledge
the 3D effect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Technical Objects

[0004] A technical object of the present invention is to control a 3D
image display so that multiple users can experience diverse 3D image
effects.

[0005] Additionally, another technical object of the present invention is
to control the 3D image display so that not only a single 3D image but
also multiple 2D images or multiple 3D images can be displayed, thereby
maximizing the usability of the 3D viewing environment.

Technical Solutions

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an image
display method includes the steps of recognizing a pair of 3D glasses
being connected to an image display apparatus; when multiple pairs of 3D
glasses are connected to the image display apparatus, receiving multiple
sets of video data, wherein the video data are displayed by using the
multiple pairs of 3D glasses; predetermining a frame rate for the
multiple sets of video data, thereby allocating a frame section;
multiplexing the multiple sets of video data at the predetermined frame
rate with respect to the allocated frame section; and frame-sequentially
displaying the multiplexed video data.

[0007] Additionally, according to another embodiment of the present
invention, an image display apparatus includes an IR emitter controller
configured to recognize a pair of 3D glasses being connected to an image
display apparatus; a video multiplexer configured to receive multiple
sets of video data, wherein the video data are displayed by using the
multiple pairs of 3D glasses, to predetermine a frame rate for the
multiple sets of video data, thereby allocating a frame section, and to
multiplex the multiple sets of video data at the predetermined frame rate
with respect to the allocated frame section, when multiple pairs of 3D
glasses are connected to the image display apparatus; and a display unit
configured to frame-sequentially display the multiplexed video data.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, by displaying diverse video
data by using a single image display apparatus (or device), the
utilization ratio of the image display apparatus may be maximized.

[0009] Also, according to the present invention, by adjusting the frame
rate of diverse video data and multiplexing the adjusted video data, and
by controlling 3D glasses based upon such multiplexing, multiple users
may be capable of simultaneously viewing multiple images.

[0010] Additionally, according to the present invention, even if the
number of video data sets being displayed in accordance with the user's
selection (or choice) is varied, the present invention may handle such
variation by multiplexing the varied (or changed) number of video data
sets and by displaying the respectively multiplexed video data.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the development
and usage of an application using the apparatus enabling multiple users
to simultaneously view multiple images may be available. For example, a
scenario for diverse applications, such as a game application enabling
multiple users to participate and play all at the same time, may be
available.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an image display apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a 3D glasses control sequence of the image
display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 illustrates a display control method of the image display
apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 illustrates a display control method of the image display
apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.

[0016]FIG. 5 illustrates an image display apparatus according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an image display method according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 7 illustrates a UI (User Interface) of an image display
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0019] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the
details given in the accompanying drawings. However, the present
invention will not be limited only to the preferred embodiments described
herein.

[0020] Although the terms used in the present invention are selected from
generally known and used terms, some of the terms mentioned in the
description of the present invention may be varied by anyone skilled in
the art at his or her discretion, according to custom, or due to the
advent of new technologies. Also, in some cases, some of the terms
mentioned in the description of the present invention have been selected
by the applicant at his or her discretion. And, in these cases, the
detailed meanings are described in relevant parts of the description
presented herein. Therefore, it is required that the terms used in the
description of the present invention is understood not simply by the mere
naming of the terms used herein but by the actual meaning of each term
lying within and, also, based upon the overall content of the description
of the present invention.

[0021] Hereinafter, a 3D image display apparatus will be described in
detail. Herein, the 3D image display apparatus may refer to diverse types
of apparatuses, which display 3D images or output 3D image data after
receiving 3D contents, such as digital TVs, set-top boxes, PDAs, mobile
phones, and so on.

[0022] With the commercialization of the broadcasting environment for 3D
images, 3D image display apparatuses are being provided to a wide range
of users.

[0023] 3D image presentation methods include a stereoscopic image method,
which takes into account two perspectives (or viewpoints), and a
multi-view image method, which takes into account three or more
perspectives (or viewpoints). Conversely, the related art single view
image type may be referred to as a monoscopic method.

[0024] A stereoscopic image method uses a left/right pair of images
acquired by photographing the same subject with a left-side camera and a
right-side camera, wherein both cameras are spaced apart from one another
at a predetermined distance. A multi-view image uses a set of at least 3
images acquired by photographing with at least 3 different cameras either
spaced apart from one another at predetermined distances or placed at
different angles. Hereinafter, although the stereoscopic method will be
described according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ideas
of the present invention may also be applied to the multi-view method.

[0025] Hereinafter, a method for controlling 3D display and 3D glasses so
that multiple users can view multiple images at the same time is a 3D
display environment will be described in detail.

[0026] When a single user views a 3D image, based upon the 3D glasses
type, and most particularly, when using a pair of active glasses, the
pair of 3D glasses may open/close the left/right lenses so that the user
can view the image corresponding to the perspective (or viewpoint)
currently being displayed. More specifically, when the 3D display image
corresponds to a left view image, the pair of 3D glasses may open the
left side lens and may close the right side lens. And, when the 3D
display image corresponds to a right view image, the pair of 3D glasses
may close the left side lens and may open the right side lens. Thus, the
pair of 3D glasses may allow the user to view the image corresponding to
the appropriate (or best-fitting) viewpoint.

[0027] The present invention proposes a method enabling multiple users to
view multiple images by using the above-described 3D image display and
operations of the pair of 3D glasses.

[0028] First of all, when multiple users respectively use multiple pairs
of 3D glasses, a first pair of 3D glasses of a first user (or User 1) may
be controlled to allow the respective user to view only the left view
image, and a second pair of 3D glasses of a second user (or User 2) may
be controlled to allow the respective user to view only the right view
image, thereby enabling each of the first user (User 1) and the second
user (User 2) to view a different image through a 2D image display. For
example, by controlling the 3D glasses so as to allow the first user to
view the left view image and to allow the second user to view the right
view image, the image display apparatus according to the present
invention may respective display different images as a left view image
and a right view image, so that the first user and the second user each
can view different images at the same time.

[0029] Additionally, allocating different time slots for each of the
multiple users, the 3D image display may be controlled so that each of
the users can view a different 3D image. For example, time slots may be
allocated to 4 sections in order to control display and 3D glasses
sequences, so that a first time slot and a third time slot can display a
left view image and a right view image to a first user, and so that a
second time slot and a fourth time slot can display a left view image and
a right view image to a second user. Hereinafter, in a video data
processing viewpoint, a time slot may also correspond to a frame section
(or frame interval). In other words, hereinafter, a time slot may also be
referred to as a video frame or a video frame section (or interval).

[0030] Hereinafter, a method for controlling a 3D image display apparatus
so that the above-described multiple users can simultaneously view
multiple images will be described in detail.

[0031] Hereinafter, the 3D image display apparatus may also be referred to
as a display apparatus or an image display apparatus. Additionally, the
term image may also represent an image being displayed on a display
screen or video data corresponding to such image. Hereinafter, the term
image may also be referred to as a picture.

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an image display apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, an image display apparatus (1040) includes an
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) interface (I/F) being
connected to an external device and performing data communication, a
display, and an IR emitter transmitting IR (Infrared Rays) signals to an
external device, such as a pair of 3D glasses (1050). The pair of 3D
glasses (1050) includes an IR receiver receiving such IR signals.

[0034] The image display apparatus (1040) receives contents that are to be
displayed through the HDMI interface. The contents that are to be
displayed may correspond to contents decoded from a decoder box (1030) or
game contents being received from a game console (1020). The decoder box
(1030) receives contents from diverse contents sources (1010), such as
groundwave broadcasting, cable broadcasting, satellite broadcasting,
optical disk, and so on. Then, the decoder box (1030) may transmit the
decoded data to the 3D image display apparatus (1040). According to an
embodiment of the present invention, the decoder box (1030) may be
included in the 3D image display apparatus. Hereinafter, the game console
(1020) may also be referred to as a game player.

[0035] When the image display apparatus (1040) receives contents, the
image display apparatus (1040) interprets user ID, viewpoint information
(presence or absence of left view and right view) of a frame, and so on,
which are included in an image frame of the received contents. The 3D
image display apparatus (1040) generates glasses ID information
corresponding to the user ID, and the 3D image display apparatus (1040)
uses the viewpoint information respective to the frame that is to be
outputted, so as to generate a control sequence for performing
opening/closing operations respective to the left/right views of each
pair of glasses.

[0036] The 3D image display apparatus (1040) transmits the generated
glasses ID and control sequence, and the pair of 3D glasses (1050)
receives/interprets the control sequence through the IR receiving unit
and then performs opening/closing operations respective to the left
side/right side lenses of 3D glasses best-fitting the
received/interpreted control sequence. Although FIG. 1 shows a single
pair of 3D glasses, when multiple users use multiple pairs of 3D glasses,
the pair of 3D glasses of each user may perform opening/closing
operations of each lens best-fitting the glasses ID transmitted from the
3D image display apparatus (1040), so as to perform control operations
enabling the multiple users to view multiple images.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a 3D glasses control sequence of the image
display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.

[0038] The control sequence of FIG. 2 represents a control sequence being
transmitted from an image display apparatus to transmit to one pair of 3D
glasses or multiple pairs of 3D glasses.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
control sequence for 3D synchronization may have a carrier frequence of
30 kHz, so as to be transmitted. According to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, a carrier frequency for a remote controller may
use 36 kHz to 56 kHz.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
wavelength of the control sequence may be equal to 830 nm, and, in this
case, the wavelength of the remote controller may be equal to 940 nm.

[0041] The pair of 3D glasses uses the IR receiver to receive the control
sequence, which is shown in FIG. 2, so as to interpret the received
control sequence. The pair of 3D glasses interprets the patterns of the
received control sequence, so as to perform operation commands respective
to the patterns of the received sequence.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
operation commands respective to the patterns of the sequence may be
defined as shown below in the following tables.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, in the control sequence, a control pattern
having a predetermined length is being repeated at an interval of 8.33
ms. The control pattern of this one section may represent a command for
the operation of each pair of 3D glasses.

[0044] For example, in the control pattern of each section, the ID for
each of the multiple pairs of 3D glasses may be identified as shown in
Table 1 based upon the cycle of Burst 1. Table 1 shows a case when 2
pairs of 3D glasses are being used. Depending upon each cycle of Burst 1,
when Burst 1 corresponds to 3 cycles, the corresponding control pattern
may indicate that the command corresponds to a command for a pair of 3D
glasses given an ID of 0. When Burst 1 corresponds to 6 cycles, the
corresponding control pattern may indicate that the command corresponds
to a command for a pair of 3D glasses given an ID of 1. And, when Burst 1
corresponds to 9 cycles, the corresponding control pattern may indicate
that the command corresponds to both the command for a pair of 3D glasses
given an ID of 0 and the command for a pair of 3D glasses given an ID of
1.

[0045] The exemplary embodiment of the command respective to the control
pattern is shown in Table 2. For example, in a control pattern shown in
FIG. 2, when Burst 1 corresponds to 3 cycles, when Burst 2 corresponds to
6 cycles, when a gap time corresponds to 18 cycles, and when Burst 3
corresponds to 6 cycles, a pair of 3D glasses given an ID of 0 is being
operated. During this control pattern section, the pair of 3D glasses
given the ID of 0 closes the left side lens.

[0046] More specifically, the 3D image display device control the image
display in accordance with the number of pairs of 3D glasses. And, the 3D
image display device may also generate and transmit the above-described
control sequence, so that each of the multiple users can view a different
image by controlling each pair of 3D glasses in accordance with the
display of the corresponding image.

[0047] Hereinafter, the control of such display and the control of the
pair of 3D glasses will be described in more detail.

[0048]FIG. 3 illustrates a display control method of the image display
apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0049]FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method enabling 2
users to each view a different image via 2D display. In the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIG. 3, each of the 2 users respectively plays game A
and game B. And, accordingly, the pictures for game A are displayed and
provided to the 1st user (or User 1), and the pictures for game B
are displayed and provided to 2nd user (or User 2).

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the display apparatus displays pictures of the
game played by each user to a frame section corresponding to the time
slot. More specifically, pictures for game A are displayed in frame
sections 0˜t1, pictures for game B are displayed in frame sections
t1˜t2, pictures for game A are displayed in frame sections
t2˜t3, and pictures for game B are displayed in sections
t3˜t4. The pictures for game A and the pictures for game B are also
alternately and serially displayed in the subsequent frame sections.

[0051] Furthermore, the image display apparatus controls multiple pairs of
3D glasses to best-fit such picture display sequence. In other words, the
image display apparatus generates and transmits a control sequence so
that the 1st pair of 3D glasses used by User 1 can open both left
and right lenses during the frame sections t0˜t1 and frame sections
t2˜t3, and so that the 1st pair of 3D glasses used by User 1
can close both left and right lenses during frame sections t1˜t2
and frame sections t3˜t4. Accordingly, User 1 is capable of viewing
the pictures for game A. Additionally, the image display apparatus
generates and transmits a control sequence so that the 2nd pair of
3D glasses used by User 2 can close both left and right lenses during the
frame sections t0˜t1 and frame sections t2˜t3, and so that
the 2nd pair of 3D glasses used by User 2 can open both left and right
lenses during frame sections t1˜t2 and frame sections t3˜t4.
Accordingly, User 2 is capable of viewing the pictures for game B.

[0052] The exemplary embodiment of such control sequence may be generated
as described in FIG. 2. And, the control method shown in the drawing of
FIG. 3 may be expressed in the form of a control sequence in each frame
section as shown below.

[0058]FIG. 4 illustrates a display control method of the image display
apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.

[0059]FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method enabling 2
users to each view a different image via 3D display. In the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIG. 4, each of the 2 users respectively plays game A
and game B. And, accordingly, the pictures for game A are displayed and
provided to the 1st user (or User 1), and the pictures for game B
are displayed and provided to 2nd user (or User 2).

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the display apparatus displays pictures of the
game played by each user to a frame section corresponding to the time
slot. More specifically, left view pictures for game A are displayed in
frame sections 0˜t1, left view pictures for game B are displayed in
frame sections t1˜t2, right view pictures for game A are displayed
in frame sections t2˜t3, and right view pictures for game B are
displayed in sections t3˜t4. The left/right view pictures for game
A and the left/right view pictures for game B are displayed by the order
of frame sections 0˜t4.

[0061] Furthermore, the image display apparatus controls multiple pairs of
3D glasses to best-fit such picture display sequence. In other words, the
image display apparatus generates and transmits a control sequence so
that the 1st pair of 3D glasses used by User 1 can open the left
side lens during the frame sections t0˜t1, so that the 1st
pair of 3D glasses used by User 1 can open the right side lens during
frame sections t2˜t3, and so that the 1st pair of 3D glasses
used by User 1 can close both left and right lenses during frame sections
t1˜t2 and frame sections t3˜t4. Accordingly, User 1 is
capable of viewing the pictures for game A via 3D display. Additionally,
the image display apparatus generates and transmits a control sequence so
that the 2nd pair of 3D glasses used by User 2 can close both left
and right lenses during the frame sections t0˜t1 and frame sections
t2˜t3, so that the 2nd pair of 3D glasses used by User 2 can
open the left side lens during the frame sections t1˜t2, and so
that the 2nd pair of 3D glasses used by User 2 can open the right
side lens during frame sections t3˜t4. Accordingly, User 2 is
capable of viewing the pictures for game B via 3D display.

[0062] The exemplary embodiment of such control sequence may be generated
as described in FIG. 2. And, the control method shown in the drawing of
FIG. 4 may be expressed in the form of a control sequence in each frame
section as shown below.

[0068] In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the multiple images being simultaneously
displayed have been described as pictures respective to game A and
pictures respective to game B. However, this is merely exemplary, and,
therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the game images, the
multiple images may also include at least one of images of groundwave
broadcasting contents, images of cable broadcasting contents, images of
satellite broadcasting contents, each being received from multiple
sources, and images being outputted from an optical disk, such as blueray
disks.

[0069] For example, when two images are to be displayed, and when one of
the two images corresponds to an image of a groundwave broadcasting
program being received via in-band, and when the other one of the two
images corresponds to a contents image being received from a blu-ray
player, two independent video frames may be mixed and displayed by using
the above-described frame-sequential method in frame units. In this case,
2 users may each be capable of simultaneously viewing different contents
in Full Resolution through a single display apparatus.

[0070]FIG. 5 illustrates a 3D image display apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] The 3D image display apparatus may include a broadcast signal
receiver (5010), a video decoder (5020), a video multiplexer (5030), an
external input device (5040), a 3D image formatter (5050), an IR emitter
controller (5060), and an IR emitter (5070). And, the operations of each
device will hereinafter be described in detail. In FIG. 5, the broadcast
signal receiver (5010) and the external input device (5040) may be
provided outside of the 3D image display apparatus and may also be
connected to the 3D image display apparatus through a communication means
such as an HDMI interface.

[0072] The broadcast signal receiver (5010) receives and processes
broadcast signals, such as groundwave broadcast signals, satellite
broadcast signals, cable broadcast signals, and so on, and then outputs
video data included in the received and processed broadcast signals. The
outputted video data may consist of a compressed video stream configured
in an H.264 format, an MPEG-2 format, and so on.

[0073] The video decoder (5020) receives and decodes the vide data
included in the broadcast signal. For example, the decoded video data
being outputted from the video decoder (5020) may include image frames
(t0, t1, t2, . . . ) of 60 fps (frames per second).

[0074] The external input device (5040) may correspond to a bluray player,
a DVD player, or a game player. More specifically, the external input
device (5020) outputs video data for outputting display from a path other
than that of the broadcast signals. According to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, the video data being outputted from the
external input device may include image frames (b0, b1, b2, . . . ) of 60
fps.

[0075] The video multiplexer (5030) multiplexes image frames being
included in the multiple sets of video data. In other words, as described
above with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the video multiplexer
frame-sequentially multiplexes the image frames included in the multiple
sets of video data in accordance with the display method (2D or 3D) and
then outputs the frame-sequentially multiplexed image frames. According
to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the example of
FIG. 5, the video multiplexer (5030) frame-sequentially multiplexes the
image frames (t0, t1, t2, . . . ) being outputted from the video decoder
(5020) and the image frames (b0, b1, b2, . . . ) being outputted from the
external input device (5040), so as to output image frames (t0, b0, t1,
b1, t2, b2, . . . ) of 120 fps. The multiplexing operations respective to
the frame rate adjustment will hereinafter be described in detail.

[0076] The IR emitter controller (5030) generates a control sequence
enabling the 3D glasses to be controlled in accordance with the order of
the image frames multiplexed by the video multiplexer (5030). Thereafter,
the generated control sequence is transmitted through the IR emitter
(5070). The generation of the control sequence performed by the IR
emitter controller (5030) has been described above in detail with
reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4.

[0078] Although it is not shown in FIG. 5, the operations of the video
multiplexer (5030) and the 3D image formatter may be controlled by the
display controller. In this case, the IR emitter controller (5060)
communicates with the display controller so as to generate a control
sequence in accordance with the video data being multiplexed by the video
multiplexer (5030). Additionally, the image display apparatus includes a
display unit, thereby being capable of displaying the multiplexed video
data.

[0079] FIG. 6 illustrates an image display method according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] The image display apparatus uses the IR emitter or the IR emitter
controller, so as to be capable of identifying (or recognizing) the 3D
glasses currently being connected to the image display apparatus. In this
case, the image display apparatus transmits a specific control sequence
and receives a respective acknowledgement (acknowledge), thereby being
capable of determining whether or not one or more pairs of glasses are
currently connected to the image display apparatus and determining the
number of pairs of 3D glasses being connected to the image display
apparatus.

[0083] In case multiple pairs of 3D glasses are connected to the image
display apparatus, the image display apparatus may receive the multiple
sets of video data that are to be displayed by using the multiple pairs
of 3D glasses (S6020).

[0084] As described above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the image
display apparatus may simultaneously display multiple sets of video data.
Such multiple sets of video data may receive video data being received
through a broadcast signal based upon the source type, video data being
received from a game player, and video data being received from an
optical disk player. The image display apparatus may display a number of
video data sets corresponding to the number of 3D glasses pairs being
connected to the image display apparatus, or the image display apparatus
may display a smaller number of video data sets. The number of video data
sets that are to be displayed may be decided based upon the number of 3D
glasses pairs connected to the image display apparatus or based upon the
user's input. In case multiple users are viewing multiple video images,
the user may use a user input means identical to that of a remote
controller, so as to select a video input. The image display apparatus
receives a selected number of video data sets from multiple sources.

[0085] The image display apparatus determines a frame rate respective to
the received multiple sets of video data and allocates frame sections
(S6030).

[0086] As described with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, after determining
the frame rate, the image display apparatus sequentially allocates frame
sections to the multiple sets of video data in accordance with the
determined frame rate. For example, when 2 sets of video data are being
multiplexed, a frame rate corresponding to 2 times the frame rate of each
video data set may be determined, and frame sections may be allocated to
each of the video data sets with respect to the determined frame rate.

[0087] The number of displayed video data sets may be varied. In this
case, the image display apparatus may adjust the frame rate in accordance
with the varied number of video data sets, and the image display
apparatus may then allocate frame sections in accordance with the
adjusted frame rate. For example, the current frame rate may be A fps,
the number of sets of the previous video data is equal to N, and the
added or decreased number of video data sets may be expressed as +/-n. In
this case, the adjusted frame rate A' may be expresses as
A'=A/N*(N±n). When the number of video data sets is increased or
decreased in accordance with the user input, the image display apparatus
may adjust the frame rate by using the equation presented above. The
equation shown above corresponds to an equation used in a case when
multiple video data sets are being displayed via 2D display. Accordingly,
when the added/deleted video data are being displayed via 3D display, an
equation such as A'=A/N*(N±2n) may also be used.

[0088] The image display apparatus multiplexes the multiple sets of video
data with respect to the frame sections allocated to the predetermined
frame rate (S6040).

[0089] The video data multiplexing process of the image display apparatus
has been described above with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 4. More
specifically, when a frame rate is determined, the image display
apparatus frame-sequentially multiplexes video frames being included in
the multiple sets of vide data in accordance with the determined frame
rate. In the operation for multiplexing the video frames, examples
corresponding to the case when the display method is a 2D method and the
case when the display method is a 3D method have already been shown and
described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0090] However, in this case, a black frame may be inserted in-between
video frames in accordance with the user's input. Herein, a black frame
corresponds to a frame displaying a black display screen through which no
other image is being displayed. According to the exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, when multiple video frames are displayed and
provided to multiple users, the shorter the frame section, the longer the
afterimage of the previous video frame, which may eventually influence
the display of the next video frame. In order to prevent such effect from
occurring, when a black frame is inserted before displaying another video
frame, the ghost effect (or afterimage effect) caused by a change in the
displayed images may be remarkably reduced. Herein, the black frame may
be inserted in-between video frames with respect to the number of video
data sets. In this case, the black frame may be inserted at a
predetermined frame rate, or the black frame may be inserted after
adjusting the frame rate to 2 times the initial frame rate.

[0092] Although it is not shown in FIG. 5, the image display apparatus
displays the video data by using a display means (LCD, LED, projector,
and so on) equipped in the image display apparatus.

[0093] In case of displaying such multiplexed video data, the 3D glasses
should be controlled to best fit the multiplexed video data, so that each
of the multiple users can be capable of viewing the respective video
data.

[0094] Therefore, the image display apparatus generates a control sequence
controlling the pair of 3D glasses in accordance with the predetermined
frame rate and the frame section allocated to the multiple sets of video
data (S6060).

[0095] The process of generating a control sequence controlling the 3D
glasses is identical to the process described with reference to FIG. 2 to
FIG. 4. The image display apparatus generates a control sequence enabling
the multiple pairs of 3D glasses to operate with respect to the frame
section allocating the video data, thereby allowing the corresponding
image to be displayed in the allocated frame section. In this case, the
image display apparatus assigns an ID to each of the recognized (or
identified) pair of 3D glasses, and by generating/transmitting a control
sequence with respect to the corresponding ID to each pair of 3D glasses,
each pair of 3D glasses may be controlled.

[0097] The process of generating and transmitting the control sequence is
performed to control multiple pairs of 3D glasses to best fit the
synchronization between the multiple pairs of 3D glasses.

[0098] The operation of the display apparatus in accordance with the
variations made by the user will hereinafter be described in more detail.

[0099] When multiple users view a single set of video data through 3D
display, the video data bypass the multiplexer, and the IR emitter
controller may transmit the same control sequence to multiple pairs of 3D
glasses.

[0100] When multiple users view multiple sets of video data, the multiple
sets of video data may be multiplexed as 2D or 3D data and may then be
displayed.

[0101] In case of the 2D display, as described above with reference to
FIG. 3, the frame rate may be increased in proportion to the number of
video data sets being viewed by the users, so that the video data can be
multiplexed at the corresponding frame interval. For example, in case the
frame rate prior to the multiplexing process is A fps, and in case N
number of video data sets are currently being simultaneously viewed by
multiple users, the frame rate may be increased to A*N fps, and the
multiple sets of video data may be sequentially multiplexed. Depending
upon the multiplexed frame sections, the display apparatus generates and
transmits a control sequence so that the 3D glasses of the corresponding
user can be open during the frame section when the corresponding user
wishes to view the respective video data, and so that the 3D glasses of
the corresponding user can be closed during the frame sections when other
users view the video data. When 2 users view 2 different sets of video
data at the same time, with respect to the 3D video display, the first
set of video data may be displayed as the left view image, and the second
set of video data may be displayed as the right view image. In this case,
even when a pair of passive type 3D glasses is used, 2 different sets of
video data may be viewed by different users at the same time. If the
number of users decreases, or if the number of video data sets decreases
by having some of the multiple users view the same video data set, the
frame rate may vary accordingly. When the current frame rate viewed by N
number of users corresponds to A*N fps, and the number of video data sets
being added (or increased) or decreased is equal to n, the varied (or
changed) frame rate may correspond to (A*N)/(N)*(N±n) fps.

[0102] In case of the 3D display, as described above with reference to
FIG. 4, by increasing the frame rate as much as the number of video data
sets that are currently being viewed at the same time, the video data may
be multiplexed at the corresponding frame interval. For example, in case
the video data prior to being multiplexed correspond to 2D video data,
and when the frame rate corresponds to A fps, if the video data prior to
being multiplexed correspond to 3D video data, since left/right view
images should both be displayed, the corresponding frame rate may be
equal to 2*A fps. When the number of video data sets simultaneously being
viewed by multiple users is equal to N, the frame rate may be increased
to 2A*N fps, and the multiple sets of video data may be sequentially
multiplexed. Depending upon the multiplexed frame sections, the display
apparatus generates and transmits a control sequence so that the 3D
glasses of the corresponding user can be open with respect to the
left/right views during the frame section when the corresponding user
wishes to view the respective video data, and so that the 3D glasses of
the corresponding user can be closed during the frame sections when other
users view the video data.

[0103]FIG. 7 illustrates a UI (User Interface) of an image display
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] As described above, when multiple users view multiple video data
sets at the same time, the image display apparatus may provide a UI
respective to such operations. Most particularly, when viewing multiple
video data sets at the same time, a channel or video source may be varied
(or changed) for each user.

[0105]FIG. 7 corresponds to a case when 3 users view video data at the
same time. More specifically, FIG. 7 shows an example when User 1 is
viewing Channel 88, when User 2 and User 3 are viewing Channel 36. At
this point, the image display apparatus may provide UIs (7010˜7030)
indicating the video source viewed by each viewer, as shown in FIG. 7.
Additionally, a UI (7040) selecting a video source, when a respective UI
is selected, may be additionally provided. Such UIs may remain hidden and
not shown on the display screen while the video data image is being
displayed. Then, the UIs may be displayed on the display screen, when
activated in accordance with the user's input.

[0106] Furthermore, since only the corresponding user is required to
selected the desired video source, multiplexing may be performed so that
the UI (7010) can be displayed only on the display screen viewed by User
1, and so that the UI (7020, 7030) can be displayed only on the display
screens respectively viewed by User 2 and User 3. More specifically, the
display apparatus may multiplex and display the UI (7010) in the video
frame section displayed and provided to User 1, and the display apparatus
may multiplex and display the UIs (7020, 7030) in the video frame
sections being respectively displayed and provided to User 2 and User 3.
When a user is newly added, a new UI similar to the UIs (7010˜7030)
of FIG. 7 may also be added. And, when the number of users is decreased,
UIs may be displayed only to the remaining users.

Mode for Carrying Out the Present Invention

[0107] As described above, the related details have been described in the
best mode for carrying out the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0108] As described above, the present invention may be fully or partially
applied to the digital broadcasting system.